Although Ragsdale was very awkward and uncomfortable lecturing in front of such a large group of students, he did a pretty good job of communicating information effectively and making it engaging. Evolution was an easy unit, and as long as you understood concepts, the exam was fine. No major complaints; he was a pretty average professor.Rate My Professors ↗
Current instructor
Aaron Ragsdale
What students say
Original student reviews · all captured dates
He's so enthusiastic and great!Rate My Professors ↗
Very nice professor and little assignmentsRate My Professors ↗
Prof. Ragsdale is a great professor. He is easy to reach both in lecture and during office hours. His readings for the course were interesting and relevant. All of the material was very well organized. While the grading took a bit longer than normal, that seems like it would done by the TA and not him. Overall, I would highly recommend!Rate My Professors ↗
The only professor I ever had that was nervous when giving a lecture. He often mumbles, blushes on stage and get nervous, and does not give clear definitions. He will give unclear answers, which is concerning since he is teaching evolution, which does require definitions for terms to be precise and not ambiguous. Get ready to teach yourself.Rate My Professors ↗
I have nothing but good things to say about Professor Ragsdale. He truly cares about the success of his students and shows this by providing clear grading criteria and easily accessible (relevant!) practice quizzes.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Classes with Aaron Ragsdale
Directed Studies in Zoology
1–3 creditsDirected Studies in Zoology offers directed study or independent research where students experience hypothesis development and research through faculty mentorship.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2022: 3.67 GPA, 66.7% A/AB (n=3 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2024–Spring 2026 · limited sampleExplores how genetic differences reveal human evolutionary and demographic history, and how history shapes genetic diversity. Covers disease risks, ancestry kits, and limits of genomics for describing race.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Aaron Ragsdale
Aaron Ragsdale organized material well and made readings interesting and relevant. He was easy to reach during lectures and office hours, and students described the assignments as small. One student noted grading took longer than normal, attributing that delay to the TA rather than the professor.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026Directed Studies in Zoology
1–6 creditsDirected Studies in Zoology consists of selected research projects for juniors and seniors.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Research
1–9 creditsAdvanced research in biology as part of graduate program requirements, arranged with mentoring faculty.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
No recorded grade history
Recorded teaching history
Distinct courses recorded per term
Explore courses taught by this instructor →Browse recorded courses
| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 | ZOOLOGY 299 | Directed Studies in Zoology |
| Spring 2027 | ZOOLOGY 415 | Genetics of Human History |
| Spring 2027 | ZOOLOGY 699 | Directed Studies in Zoology |
| Spring 2027 | ZOOLOGY 990 | Research |
| Fall 2026 | ZOOLOGY 699 | Directed Studies in Zoology |
| Fall 2026 | ZOOLOGY 957 | Seminar-evolution |
| Fall 2026 | ZOOLOGY 990 | Research |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
Instructor identity & provenance
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